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THE CAPTAIN’S DOG. 

By Louis Enault $0.50 

THE GOLD THREAD. 

By Norman MacLeod, D.D . .50 

HOW TOMMY SAVED THE BARN. 

By James Otis 50 

J. COLE. 

By Emma Gellibrand 50 

JESSICA’S FIRST PRAYER. 

By Hesba Stretton 50 

LADDIE. 

By the author of “ Miss Toosey’s Mission ” . .50 

MISS TOOSEY’S MISSION. 

By the author of “ Laddie” 50 

A SHORT CRUISE. 

By James Otis 50 

THE WRECK OF THE CIRCUS. 

By James Otis 50 


For sale by all Booksellers, or sent postpaid upon receipt 
of price, by the publishers. 

THOMAS Y. CROWELL & COMPANY, 

NEW YORK AND BOSTON. 





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AT LAST THEY CAME TO AN IRON DOOR 









THE GOLD THREAD 


A STORY FOR THE YOUNG 


! 



NORMAN MACLEOD, D.D. 

n 



New York: 46 East Fourteenth Street 

THOMAS Y. CROWELL & COMPANY 

Boston : 100 Purchase Street 





Copyright, 1897, 

By Thomas Y. Crowell & Company 


C. J. PETERS & SON, TYPOGRAPHERS, 
BOSTON. 


* 




TO MY CHILDREN. 


I DEDICATE this story to you, because it was 
for you I fii^st wrote it, and to you I first read 
it among the green hills of Moffat. It was 
afterwards printed in G-ood Words; and now 
you see it again appears as a little book for 
other children, who, I hope, will like it as 
much as you do. 

I wish to help and encourage you, and all 
who read this story, to learn the great lesson 
which it is intended to teach ; that lesson 
is, that we should always trust (rod and do 
what is right, and thus hold fast our gold 
thread in spite of every temptation and danger, 
being certain that in this way only will God 
lead us in safety and peace to his home. 

Now, God gives each of you this gold thread 
to hold fast in your own house or in school, 


VI 


TO MY CHILDREN. 


in the nursery or in the play-ground, on every 
day and in every place. His voice in your 
heart, and in his Word, will also tell you 
always what is right, if you only listen to it. 
You, too, will be constantly tempted in some 
way or other to give up your gold thread, and 
to be selfish, disobedient, lazy, or untruthful. 
Many things, in short, will tempt you to do 
your own will rather than God’s will. 

You already know, and I hope you will al- 
ways love and remember, those true stories in 
the Bible about the good men of the olden 
time, whose lives are there written. Now, 
what showed that they were good? It was 
this, that they trusted God., and did what was 
/right. If they ever let this their gold thread 
go, they lost their way and became unhappy; 
but when they held it fast, it led them in a 
way of peace and safety. To see how true this 
is, you have only to recall such stories as those 
of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Job, Caleb 
and Joshua, Samuel, David and Jonathan, 
Elijah and Elisha, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Daniel 
and his three companions, etc., with those 
told you in the Book of Acts, not to mention 


TO MY CHILDREN. 


vii 

the history of Jesus Christ, the perfect example 
for us all. 

That you, my dear children, may be “fol- 
lowers of those who through faith and patience 
now inherit the promises,” and thus be “ follow- 
ers of God as dear children,” is the constant 
prayer of your mother, and of your father. 


NORMAN MACLEOD. 




CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Wanderek. — Wolf the Swineherd . 1 

II. The IIobber’s Tower 13 


III. The Journey Home. — The Bird with the 

Gold Eggs. — Trials and Difficulties, 24 

IV. The Great Lion. — The Little Squirrel. — 

An Old Friend. — The Bloodhound. — 


The Last Temptation 36 

The Green Island of the Lake, and the 
Return Home 53 


IX 



THE GOLD THREAD. 


CHAPTER I. 

THE WANDERER. — WOLF THE SWINEHERD. 

Once upon a time a boy lost his way in a 
vast forest that filled many a valley, and passed 
over many a hill, a rolling sea of leaves for 
miles and miles, farther than the eye could 
reach. 

His name was Eric, son of the good King 
Magnus. He was dressed in a blue velvet 
dress, with a gold band round his waist, and 
his fair locks in silken curls waved from his 
beautiful head. But his hands and face were 
scratched, and his clothes torn with the briers, 
as he ran here and there like one much per- 
plexed. 

Sometimes he made his way through tangled 
1 


2 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


brushwood, or crossed the little grassy plains 
in the forest, now losing himself in dark ra- 
vines, then climbing up their steep sides, or 
crossing with difficulty the streams that hur- 
ried through them. 

For a long time he kept his heart up, and 
always said to himself, — 

“ I shall find it, I shall find it ; ” until, as the 
day advanced, he was wearied and hungry ; and 
every now and then he cried, ‘‘ O my father ! 
Where is my father? I’m lost! I’m lost! ” 
Or, “ Where, oh, Avhere is my gold thread ? ” 

All day the forest seemed to him to be 
very sad. He had never seen it so gloomy. 
There was a strange sadness in the rustle of 
the leaves, and a sadness in the noise of the 
.streams. He did not hear the birds sing as 
they used to do. But he heard the ravens 
croak with their hoarse voice, as their black 
forms swept along the precipices which here 
and there rose above the trees. The large 
hawks, too, always appeared to be wheeling 
over his head, pausing, and fluttering as if 
about to dart down upon him. Why was he 
so sad? Why was he so afraid? 


THE WANDEnEE. 


3 


But on Eric journeyed, in the hope of find- 
ing his way out of the boundless forest, or of 
meeting some one who would he his guide. 

At last the sun appeared to he near its set- 
ting, and he could see the high branches of 
the trees shining like gold as its last rays 
fell upon them. But underneath, the foliage 
was getting darker and darker, the birds were 
preparing to sleep, and everything soon be- 
came so still that he could hear his steps echo- 
ing through the wood, and when he stopped 
he heard his heart beating or a leaf falling; 
but nowhere did he see a house, and no hu- 
man being had he met since morning. 

Then the wind suddenly began to rise, and 
he heard it at first creeping along the tree- 
tops like a gentle whisper, and by and by to 
call louder and louder for the storm to come. 
Dark clouds gathered over the sky, and rushed 
along, chased by the winds that were soon to 
fight with the giant trees. 

At last he sat down at the root of a great 
old oak, burying his face in his hands, not 
knowing what to do. He then tried to climb 
the tree, in order to spend the night among 


4 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


its branches, in case wild beasts should attack 
him. 

But as he was climbing it, he heard some 
one singing with a loud voice. Listening at- 
tentively, and looking eagerly through the 
leaves, he saw a boy, apparently older than 
himself, dressed in rough, shaggy clothes, made 
from skins of wild animals. His long matted 
hair escaped over his cheeks from under a 
black bearskin cap. With a short, thick stick 
he was driving a herd of swine through the 
wood. 

‘‘ Hey there, you black porker ! ” cried the 
boy, as he threw a stone at some pig which 
was running away. “ Get along, you lazy 
long-snout ! ” he shouted to another, as he 
came thump on its back with his cudgel. And 
then he sung this song with a loud voice, 
which made the woods ring : — 

“ Oh, there’s nothing half so fine 
As to drive a herd of swine, 

And through the forest toddle. 

With nothing in my noddle, 

But rub-a-dub, rub-dub, hey-up, halloo ! 

When I wish to have some fun. 

Then I make the porkers run. 


WOLF THE SWINEHERD. 


5 


Till they gallop, snort, and wheeze. 

Among the leafy trees; 

Oh, rub-a-dub, rub-dub, hey-up, halloo! 

How their -backs begin to bristle. 

When I shout aloud and whistle! 

How they kick at every lick 
That I give them with my stick! 

Oh, rub-a-dub, rub-dub, hey-up, halloo!” 

“ Get along, you rascals ! ” cried the savage- 
looking herd, “or I’ll kill and roast you be- 
fore your time.” 

But soon the herd, with his swine, was con- 
cealed from Eric’s sight by the wood, though 
he still heard his “ Rub-a-dub ” chorus, to which 
the singer beat time with a sort of rude drum, 
made with a dried skin and hoop. 

Eric determined to make his acquaintance, 
or at all events to follow him to some house ; 
so he descended from the tree, and ran off in 
the direction from which he heard the song 
coming. He soon overtook him. 

“ Hello ! ” said the wild-looking lad, with as 
much astonishment as if Eric had fallen from 
the clouds. “Who? where from? where to?” 

“I have lost my way in the wood,” said 
Eric, “ and want you to guide me.” 


6 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


“ To Ralph ? ” asked the swineherd. 

“ Ralph ! Pray, who is he ? ” 

“ ]\Iaster, chief, captain, everything, every- 
body,” replied the young savage. 

“I will go anywhere for shelter, as night is 
coming on ; but I will reward you if you bring 
me to my father’s home.” 

“ Who is your father, my fine fellow ? ” in- 
quired the swineherd, leaning on his stick. 

“ The king,” replied Eric. 

“You lie. Sir Prince! Ralph is king.” 

^ “I speak the truth, swineherd.” 

The swineherd by this time was examining 
Eric’s dress with an impudent look. 

“ Pay me now,” said he ; “ give me this gold 
band, and I will guide you.” 

“I cannot give you this gold band, for my 
father gave it to me, and I have lost enough 
to-day. By the by, did you see a gold thread 
waving anywhere among the trees?” 

“ A gold thread ! What do you mean ? I 
saw nothing but pigs until I saw you, and I 
shall treat you like a pig, — d’ye hear ? — and 
lick you, too, for I have no time to put off. 
So give me your band. Come, be quick ! ” said 


WOLF THE SWINEHERD. 


7 


he, with his fierce face, and holding up his 
stick as he came up to Eric. 

“ Keep off, swineherd ; don’t touch me ! ” 

“ Don’t touch you ! Why shouldn’t I touch 
you ? Do you see this stick ? How would 
you like to have it among your fine curls, as 
I drive it among the pigs’ bristles ? ” And he 
began to fiourish it over his head, and to press 
nearer and nearer. “ Once, twice ; when I say 
thrice, if you do not unbuckle, I shall save 
you the trouble, and leave you to the wild 
beasts, who would like a tender bit of prince’s 
flesh better than pork. Come ; once ! twice ! ” 
Eric was on his guard, and said, “I shall 
fight you, you young robber, till death, rather 
than give you this band — so keep off.” 

“ Thrice ! ” shouted the herd ; and down came 
his thick cudgel, which he intended should fall 
on Eric’s head. But Eric sprang aside, and be- 
fore he could recover himself, dashed in upon 
him, tripped him up, and threw him on the 
grass, seizing him by the throat in a moment. 

The herd, in his efforts to get out of Eric’s 
grasp, let go his cudgel, which Eric seized, and 
held over his head. 


8 


TFIE GOLD THREAD. 


“ Unless you promise, Master Swineherd, to 
leave me alone, I may leave ^ou alone with the 
wild beasts.” 

“ You are stronger than I thought,” said 
the herd. ‘‘Let me up, or I shall be choked. 
Let me up, I say, and I promise to guide you.” 

“ I shall trust you,” said Eric, “ though you 
would not trust me. Rise ! ” 

So the herd rose, and picked up his cap; 
but Eric would not give him his stick until he 
guided him to some house. 

“Come along,” said he sulkily. 

^‘What is your name?” asked Eric. 

'“They call me Wolf. I killed a wolf once 
with my boar-spear.” 

“Why, Wolf, did you try to kill me?” 

“Because I wanted your gold belt.” 

“But it is a great sin to rob and kill.” 

“Other people rob me, and would kill me, 
too, if I did not take care of their pigs,” said 
Wolf carelessly. 

“You should fear God, Wolf.” 

“I fear that name truly, for Ralph always 
swears by it when he is in a rage ; but I do 
not know what it means.” 


WOLF THE S WINEHERB. 


9 


“O Wolf! surely your father and mother 
told you about God, who made all things, and 
made you and me, — God who loves us, and 
wishes us to love him, and to do wdiat is 
right?” 

“ I have no father or mother,” replied Wolf, 
“nor brothers or sisters, and I do not know 
God. No one cares for me but my pigs, aiid 
so I sleep with them and eat Avith them.” 

“ Poor felloAv ! ” said Eric with a look of 
kindness ; “ I am sorry for you. Here is all 
the money I have. Take it. I wish to show 
you that I have no ill-will to you ; ” and Eric 
gave him a gold coin. 

Wolf gave a grunt like one of his pigs, and 
began his song of “Rub-a-duh.” 

“No one ever gave me money before,” re- 
marked Wolf almost to himself, as he examined 
the coin on his rough hand, which looked like 
tanned leather. “ How much is this ? ” in- 
quired he. 

Eric explained its value. The herd Avas as- 
tonished, and began to think Avhat he could 
purchase Avith it. 

“ It would buy a large pig,”* he said. He 


10 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


seemed very anxious to conceal the coin, and 
so he hid it in the top of his hairy cap. 

“See that tall tower,” said Wolf, “which 
looks like a rock above the trees ; that is the 
only house near for twenty miles round. You 
can reach it soon ; and when you do reach it,” 
added Wolf, speaking low, as if some one might 
hear him, “take my advice, and get away as 
fast as you can from my master Ralph, for ” — 
and Wolf gave a number of winks, as much as 
to say, “ I know something.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” asked Eric. 

“Oh, nothing, nothing ! but take Wolfs ad- 
vice, and say to Ralph you are a beggar. Put 
the gold band in your pocket, and swear to 
remain with him, hut run off when you can. 
Cheat him ; that’s my way.” 

“ It is not my way,” replied Eric, “ and, come 
what may, never can be, for a voice says to 
me, — 

“ ‘ Better to die 

Than ever to lie. ’ ” 

“ Ha ! ha ! ” said Wolf ; “ I wish you lived 
with Ralph. He would teach you another les- 
son, my lad.” • 


WOLF THE SWINEHERD. 


11 


“I would rather that I had you, Wolf, to 
live in my house. I would he kind to you, 
and help you to he good, and tell you about 
God, who lives in the sky.” 

‘‘ And is that he who is speaking? Listen! ” 

Thunder began to mutter in the clouds. 

“Yes, it is he,” replied Eric; “and if you 
will only listen, you can also hear him often 
speak with a small, still voice in your heart.” 

“ I never heard him,” replied Wolf ; “ but 
I cannot stay longer with you, for my pigs 
will wander: there is a black rascal who al- 
ways leads them astray. Now, king’s son, 
give Wolf the stick; it is all he has.” 

“ Here it is to you, and I am sure you will 
not use it wrongly; you will try and be good. 
Wolf? for it will make you happy.” 

“Humph! ” said Wolf; “I am happy when 
I get my pigs home, and Ralph does not strike 
me. But I must away; and see you don’t tell 
any one you gave me money. They would 
rob me.” 

And away he ran among the trees in search 
of his pigs, while Eric heard his little drum, 
and his song of “ Rub-a-dub, halloo ! ” die 


12 


THE GOLD THREAD, 


away in the distance. Another loud peal and 
flash of lightning made Eric start, and off he 
ran towards a light which now beamed from 
the tower. But he thought to himself, — 

“I am much worse than that poor Wolf; 
for I knew what was right, and did not do it. 
I heard the voice, but did not attend to it. O 
my father ! why did I not obey you ? ” 


THE ROBBERS S TOWER. 


13 


CHAPTER II. 

THE robber’s tower. 

SOiSiETEMES he lost sight of the light, and 
again he caught it, till it became brighter and 
brighter; and very soon he came to a high 
rock, on the top of which was perched a tall^ 
dark tower. 

After groping about, he found a narrow path 
that led up to the tower, from one of the win- 
dows of which the light was brightly shining. 

He ascended a flight of steep steps till he 
reached a massive door covered with iron. 

He knocked as Ipudly as he could, when a large 
dog began barking furiously inside, and spring- 
ing up to the door as if it would tear it down. 

Then a gruff voice called out of a window 
over the door, — 

‘‘Who is there? Who disturbs me in this » 

way ? ” 

The little boy replied, — 


14 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


“ Please, sir, I am Eric, son of King Magnus, 
and I have lost my way in this wood.” 

“ The son of the king, are you ? ” asked the 
voice. “ That is a grand joke ! Let me have 
a sight of you.” 

Then the window was shut, and he heard 
footsteps coming tramp, tramp, down the staii-s ; 
and the voice said to the dog, “ Lie down, 
hound, and don’t be greedy ! You would not 
eat a young prince, would you? Lie down, 
Tuscar! ” 

The door was then opened by a fierce-look- 
ing man with a long beard. The man biide 
him enter, and examined him about himself 
and his journey. 

Eric answered truly every question. Then 
the man rang a bell for an old woman who 
lived in the house, and bade her take the boy 
with her, and give him his supper. 

The old woman looked very ugly and very 
cross, and led him up, up, a great number of 
dark, gloomy stairs, until she reached a small 
room, with a bed and table in it, where she 
bade Eric wait till she brought him supper. 

The big hound followed them, and stayed in 


THE ROBBERS S TOJVER. 


15 


the room while the woman went away. Eric 
was at first afraid of the dog, he was so large 
and wild-looking; but he came and laid his 
head on Eric’s knee, and Eric scratched his ears, 
and patted him, and was very kind to him. 

The supper came, and the boy managed to 
keep a few bits of meat out of his own supper 
for the dog; and when the old woman went 
out of the room he fed the hound, who seemed 
very hungry, and said to him, — 

“ Tuscar, old fellow, I like you veiy much. 
Take another bit, good dog, and be happy ! ” 

The dog wagged his tail, and looked up 
kindly with his large eyes; for he was thank- 
ful for his supper, and ate much more than 
Eric. 

“Now,” said the old woman gruffly, when 
she took away the remains of the supper, “you 
have ate what would do me for a week. You 
won’t starve, Master Prince. Go to bed.” 

The old woman left him ; but suddenly 
returning, she discovered Eric on his knees. 
As he rose, she scoffed and jeered him, and 
asked, — 

“ Do you always say your prayers ? ” 


16 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


“Yes; always,” replied the boy. 

“Who taught you?” 

“My mother, who is dead.” 

The old woman heaved a deep sigh ; but the 
boy did not^ know why. Perhaps she used to 
pray when she was a little girl herself, and had 
given up speaking to God, or even thinking of 
him, and so had become wicked; or perhaps 
she thought of some child of her own whom 
she had never taught to pray. 

She soon went away without speaking a 
word more, and Eric was left in darkness. He 
looked out through the narrow window of his 
room, but could see nothing but black clouds 
rushing over the sky. Far down he heard a 
stream roaring ; and the wind, which now blew 
a gale, came booming over the tree-tops, and 
howling round the tower. Every now and then 
a flash lighted up the forest, and the thunder 
crashed in the sky. It was a fearful night! 

Some time after, he heard footsteps at his 
door, and immediately the man with the beard 
entered and sat down. 

“Do you know,” he asked, “ where your 
father is ? ” 


THE ROBBERS S TOWER. 


17 


“No,” said Eric; “as I told you, I lost my 
way in the forest, and have been wandering all 
day, and cannot find him ; but perhaps you 
will send some one to-morrow with me to show 
me the way to his castle, and I am sure my 
kind, good father will give you a rich reward.” 

“You are very, very far from your father’s 
house,” said the^ man, “and I fear you will 
never see him again ; but come with me, and 
I shall show you some beautiful things that 

a 

will please you.” 

So the man took Eric by the hand ; and, 
carrying a lamp, he led him into a room that 
seemed full of gold and silver, with beautiful 
dresses, sparkling with diamonds, and every 
kind of splendor, and he said, — 

“ Stay with me, my bo}^, and I will give you 
all this ; for I am a king, too, and will make 
you my heir.” 

“ Oh, no, no ! ” said Eric ; “ I will never for- 
sake my own father.” 

The man then said, — 

“ If you stay with me, you need never go to 
school all day, but may amuse yourself from 
morning till night, and have a beautiful pony 


18 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


to ride, and a gun to shoot deer with, and 
also fishing-rods, and a servant to attend you, 
and any kind of meat and drink you like best. 
Do stay with me ! ” 

“ You are very kind,” said Eric, “ but I 
cannot be happy without my father.” 

“ Come, then, with me, my fine fellow, and 
I shall show you something different,” said 
the man, seizing Eric firmly by the arm, and 
looking very angry. 

After walking along a passage, from the end 
of which confused noises came, a door was 
opened ; and in a large hall, round a great 
oak table, sat a company of fierce-looking men, 
drinking from large flagons which stood before 
them. Their faces were red, and their eyes 
gleamed like fire. Ralph placed Eric on the 
table. One of the robbers was singing this 
song: — 


“We’re the famous robber band — 
Hurrah ! 

The lords of all the land — 
Hurrah ! 

A fig for law or duty, 

If we only get our booty; 

With a fa, lal, la, la, la! 


THE BOBBER'S TOWER. 


19 


‘ Every man to mind himself,’ 

Hurrah ! 

Is the rule of Captain Ralph! 

Hurrah 1 

Then let the greatest thief 
And robber be our chief — 

With a fa, lal, la, la, la!” 

No wonder poor Eric trembled as he heard 
that lawless band thus glorying in their shame, 
and like demons singing their horrid song in 
praise of all that was most dreadful and most 
wicked. He had read stories of robbers, which 
sometimes made him think that they were fine, 
brave fellows ; but now that he was among 
them, he saw how depraved, cruel, and fright- 
ful they were. Their savage, coarse looks ter- 
rified him ; but he was held by Ralph on the 
table. 

When the song was ended, one of them 
asked, — 

“Whom have we got here?” 

“ Who do you think? ” said Ralph. “ What 
would you say, my men, to a young prince, — 
no less than the son of our great enemy. King 
Magnus ? ” 

“ A young prince ! ' The son of Magnus ! 


20 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


What a prize ! ” they exclaimed. “ What shall 
Ave do Avith him ? ” 

“First of all, let us have his gold belt,” 
said Ralph, unbuckling Eric’s belt. 

“ Ha ! Avhat a pretty thing it is ! ” 

“ My father gave it to me, and I don’t Avish 
to part Avith it. The SAvineherd Wolf tried to 
take it from me ; but I fought him, and kept 
it,” said Eric. 

“Wolf is a brave young robber,” replied 
Ralph, “ and he shall have it for his trouble. 
In the meantime, my lad, it is mine. But 
Avhat, my men, shall Ave do Avith the prince?” 

“ Kill him,” said one. 

“ Starve him to death,’’ said another. 

“Put his eyes out, and send him back to 
his father,” said a third. 

Eric prayed to God, but said nothing. 

“I propose,” said Ralph, “to make him a 
captain if he Avill stay Avith us.” 

“Never!” said Eric; “I would rather 
die!” 

“Let him die, then,” said a fierce robber; 
“for his father hanged my brother for killing 
one of his nobles.” 


THE ROBBERS S TOWER. 21 

“I tell you what we will do with the lion’s 
whelp,” said Ralph; ‘‘let us keep him in 
prison, and send a message to his father, that 
we have him snug in a den among the moun- 
tains, and that, unless he sends us an immense 
ransom, we shall kill him.” 

“That will do famously,” said the robbers; 
“so off with him ! ” 

Then Ralph led the boy down-stairs, — down, 
down, until Eric thought they never would 
stop; and at last they came to an iron door, 
with great bars on it, and a large lock, and 
he turned to Eric and said, — 

“ I know your father, and I hate him ! for 
he sends his soldiers after me, and tries to 
save travellers from me; and now I have got 
his son. I will keep you here till you die, or 
till he pays ! ” 

Then he opened the dungeon door, and 
thrust Eric in. When it closed, it echoed like 
thunder through the passages. Eric cast him- 
self down on the dungeon floor. 

All appeared to be a strange dream. Oh, 
how he repented having disobeyed his father ! 
and how he seemed to be as bad as the dread- 


22 


TUE GOLD THREAD. 


ful robbers in having done what he pleased, 
and followed his own will, instead of doing 
what was right! 

About an hour after, he heard some rus- 
tling, as if high up on the wall, and a voice 
whispered, — 

‘‘ Eric ! ” 

“Who is there?” asked Eric, and his little 
heart trembled. 

“Silence! Quiet! It is Wolf, Here is 
a small window in your prison, and I have 
opened it outside ; climb up, get out, and run 
for your life.” 

Eric heard no more, but scrambled in the 
dark up the rough stones in the wall until he 
reached the window, where he looked out, and 
saw the stars and the woods. He soon forced 
his way through, and dropped down on the 
opposite side. Some one caught him in his 
arms. It was Wolf. 

“Here is your gold band, Eric. I got it 
from Ralph; for He who was speaking in 
the thunder has been saying things in my 
heart. You were kind to poor Wolf. Now 
escape ! Fly ! I shall close the window 


THE ROBBER'S TOWER. 


23 


again. Ralph will never know how you got 
out, and he will not open the prison-door till 
after breakfast. So you have a long time- 
Run as long as you can along that road till 
you reach a hill, then cross it, until you reach 
a stream, which you must follow downwards. 
The worst of the storm is over, and the night 
will soon be calm. Off ! ” 

‘‘Bless you. Wolf!” said Eric; “I shall 
never forget you.” 

Poor Eric ! how he ran and ran beneath 
the stars ! He felt no fatigue for a time. He 
thought he heard the robbers after him ; every 
time the wind blew loudly he imagined it was 
their wild cry. 

On he ran till he reached the hill, and 
crossed it, and came to a green spot beneath 
a rock, on the banks of the stream, when he 
could run no more, but fell down ; and whether 
he fainted or fell asleep he could not tell. 


24 


THE GOLD THREAD, 


CHAPTER III. 

THE JOURNEY HOME. — THE BIRD WITH THE 
GOLD EGGS. — TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES. 

Eric knew not how long he -slept; but, as 
in a dream, he heard a sweet voice singing 
these words; — 

“ Rest thee, hoy, rest thee, boy, lonely and dreary. 

Thy little heart breaking from losing the way ; 

Thy father has not left thee friendless, though weary. 
When learning through suffering to fear and obey.” 

Eric opened his eyes, but moved not a limb, 
as if under some strange fascination. It was 
early morning. High overhead a lark was 
“ singing like an angel in the clouds.” The 
mysterious voice went on in the same beau- 
tiful and soothing strain : — 

Oh, sweet is the lark as she sings o’er her nest. 

And warbles unseen in the clear morning light; 

But sweeter by far is the song in the breast 
When in life’s early morning we do what is right 1” 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


25 


Eric could neither move nor speak; but in 
his heart he confessed with sorrow that he had 
done what was wrong. And again the voice 
sang: — 

“ Now, darling, awaken, thou art not forsaken ! 

The old night is past and a new day begun ; 

Let thy journey with love to thy father be taken, 

And at evening thy father will welcome thee home.” 

“ I will arise and go to my father ! ” said 
Eric, springing to his feet. He saw beside 
him a beautiful lady, who looked like a picture 
he once saw of his mother, or like one of those 
angels from heaven about whom he had ofteu 
read. And the lady said, — 

“Fear not! I know you, Eric, and how it 
came to pass that you are here. Your father 
sent you for a wise and good purpose through 
the forest, and gave you hold of a gold thread! 
to guide you, and told you never to let it go. 
It was your duty to him to have held it fast ; 
but instead of doing your duty, trusting and 
obeying your father, and keeping hold of the 
thread, you let it go to chase butterflies, and 
gather wild berries, and to amuse yourself. 

“This you did more than once. You neg- 


26 


THE GOLD TUBE AD. 


lected your father’s counsels and warnings; 
and because of your self-confidence and self- 
pleasing, you lost your thread, and then you 
lost your way. What dangers and troubles 
have you thus got into through disobedience 
to your father’s commands, and want of trust 
in his love and wisdom ! 

“ For had you only followed your father’s 
directions, the gold thread would have brought 
you to his beautiful castle, where there is to 
be a happy meeting of your friends, with all 
your brothers and sisters.” 

Poor little Eric began to weep ! 

“ Listen to me, child,” said the lady kindly ; 
“ for you cannot have 'peace hut hy doing 'what 
is right. Know, then, that all your brothers 
and sisters made this very journey by help of 
the gold thread, and they are at home with 
great joy.” 

“ Oh, save me ! save me ! ” cried Eric, and 
caught the lady’s hand. 

“Yes, I will save you,” said she, “if you 
will learn obedience. I know and love you, 
dear boy. I know and love your father, and 
have been sent by him to deliver you. 1 heard 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


27 


what you said, and know all you did last 
night; and I was very glad that you proved, 
in trial, your love to your father, your love 
of truth, and your love of others, and this 
makes me hope all good of you for the future. 
Come now with me ! ” 

And so the beautiful woman took him by 
the hand. 

The storm had passed away, and the sun was 
shining on the green leaves of the trees, and 
every drop of dew sparkled like a diamond. 
The birds were all warbling their morning 
hymns, and feeding their young ones in their 
nests. The streams were dancing down the 
rocks and through the glens. 

“The mountains broke forth into singing, 
and all the trees clapped their hands with 

joy-” 

Everything thus seemed beautiful and happy 
to Eric ; for he himself was happy at the thought 
of doing what was right, and of going home. 

The lady led him to a sunny glade in the 
wood, covered with wild-flowers, from which 
the bees were busy gathering their honey ; and 
she said, — 


28 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


“Now, child, are you willing to do your 
father’s will ? ” 

“ Oh, yes ! ” 

“Will you do it, whatever dangers may 
await you?” 

“ Yes ! ” 

“Well, then, I must tell you that your father 
has given me the gold thread which you lost ; 
and he bids me again tell you, with his warm 
love, that if you keep hold of it, and follow it 
wherever it leads, you are sure to come to him 
at sunset ; but if you let it go, you may wan- 
der on in this dark forest till you die, or are 
again taken prisoner by robbers. 

“Know, also, that there is no other possible 
way of saving you but by your following the 
gold thread.” 

“I am resolved to do my duty, come what 
may,” said Eric. 

“ May you be helped to do it ! ” said the 
, lady. 

She then gave him a cake, to support him in 
his journey. 

“And now, child,” she added, “one advice 
more I will give you.; and it was given you by 


TUE JOURNEY HOME. 


29 


your father, though you forgot it ; it is this — 
if ever you feel the thread slipping from your 
hands, or are yourself tempted to let it go, pray 
immediately, and you will get wisdom and 
strength to find it, to lay hold of it, and to 
follow it. Before we part, kneel down and 
ask assistance to be good and obedient, brave 
and patient, until you meet your father.” 

The little boy knelt down and repeated the 
Lord’s Prayer; and as he said, “Thy will be 
done on earth, as it is done in heaven,” he felt 
calm and happy as he used to do when he 
knelt at his mother’s knee, and he thought her 
hand was waving over him, as if to bless him. 

When he lifted up his head, there was no 
one there but himself ; but he saw an old gray 
cross, and a Gold Thkead was tied to it, and 
passed away, away, shining through the woods. 

With a firm hold of his gold thread, the boy 
began his journey home. He passed along 
pathways on which the brown leaves of last 
year’s growth were thickly strewn, and from 
among which flowers of every color were spring- 
ing. He crossed little brooks that ran like 
silver threads, and tinkled like silver bells. 


30 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


He passed under trees with great trunks, and 
huge branches that swept down to the ground, 
and waved far up in the blue sky. 

The birds hopped about him, and looked 
down upon him from among the green leaves ; 
and they sang him songs, and some of them 
seemed to speak to him. 

He thought one large bird like a crow cried, 
“ Good boy ! good boy ! ” and another whistled, 
“ Cheer up ! cheer up ! ” and so he went merrily 
on; and very often he gave the robins and 
blackbirds that came near him bits of his cake. 

After a while he came to a green spot in the 
middle of the wood, without trees ; and a foot- 
path w^ent direct across it, to the place where 
the gold thread was leading him, and there he 
saw a sight that made him wonder and pause. 

It was a bird about the size of a pigeon, with 
feathers like gold and a crown like silver; and 
it was slowly walking near him, and he saw 
gold eggs glittering in a nest among the grass 
a few yards off. 

“ Now,” he thought, “ it would be such a nice 
thing to bring home a nest with gold eggs I ” 

The bird did not seem afraid of him, but 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


31 


stopped and looked at him with a calm blue 
eye, as if she said, — 

“ Surely you would not rob me ? ” 

He could not, however, reach the nest with 
his hand ; and though he pulled and pulled the 
thread, it would not yield one inch, but seemed 
as stiff as a wire. 

“ I see the thread quite plain,” said the boy 
to himself, “ and the very place where it en- 
ters the dark wood on the other side. I will 
just leap to the nest, and in a moment I shall 
have the eggs in my pocket, and then spring 
back and catch the thread again. I cannot 
lose it here, with the sun shining; and, be- 
sides, I see it a long way before me.” 

So he took one step to seize the eggs ; but 
he was in such haste that he fell and crushed 
the nest, breaking the eggs to pieces, and the 
little bird screamed and flew away, and then 
suddenly the birds in the trees began to fly 
about, and a large owl swept out of a dark 
glade, and cried, “ Whoo — whoo — whoo-oo- 
00,” and a cloud came over the sun! 

Eric’s heart beat quick, and he made a grasp 
at his gold thread; but it was not there! 


32 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


Another and another grasp; but it was not 
there ! and soon he saw it waving far above 
his head, like a gossamer thread in the breeze. 
You would have pitied him, while you could 
not have helped being angry with him for 
having been so silly and disobedient when thus 
tried, had you only seen his pale face, as he 
looked above him for his thread, and about 
him for the road, but could see neither! 

And he became so confused with his fall, 
that he did not know which side of the open 
glade he had entered, nor to which point he 
was travelling. But at last he thought he 
heard a bird chirping, “ Seek — seek — seek ! ” 
and another repeating, “Try again ^ — try again 
— try — try!” and then he remembered what 
the lady had said to him, and he fell on his 
knees and told all his grief, and cried, — 

“ Oh, give me back my thread ! and help 
me never never to let it go again ! ” 

As he lifted up his eyes, he saw the thread 
come slowly, slowly down ; and when it came 
near, he sprang to it and caught it, and he did 
not know wdiether to laugh or cry or sing, he 
was so thankful and happy! 


TUE JOURNEY HOME. 


33 


“Ah! ” said he, “I hope I shall never for- 
get this fall ! ” 

That part of the Lord’s Prayer came into 
his mind which says, “ Lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil.” 

“ Who would have thought,” said he to him- 
self, “ that I was in any danger in such a 
beautiful, green, sunny place as this, and so 
very early, too, in my journey! Oh, shame 
upon me ! ” 

As he proceeded with much more thought 
and caution, a large crow up a tree was hoarsely 
croaking, and seemed to say, “ Beware, be- 
ware ! ” 

“ Thank you, Mr. Crow,” said the boy ; “ I 
shall ; ” and he threw him a bit of bread for 
his good advice. 

But now the thread led him through the 
strangest places. One was a very dark, deep 
ravine, with a stream that roared and rushed 
far down, and overhead the rocks seemed to 
meet, and thick bushes concealed the light; 
and nothing could Eric see but the gold thread, 
that looked like a thread of fire, though even 
that grew dim sometimes, until he could only 


34 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


feel it in his hand, and whither he was going 
he knew not. 

At one time he seemed to be on the edge 
of a precipice, until it seemed as if the next 
step must lead him over, and plunge him down ; 
but when he came to the very edge, the thread 
led him quite safely along it. 

At another, a rock which looked like a wall 
rose before him ; and he said to liimself, — 

“Well, I must be stopped here! I shall 
never be able to climb up ! ” 

But just as he touched it, he found steps 
cut in it; and up, up, the thread guided him 
to the top! 

Then it would bring him down, down, until 
he once stood beside a raging stream, and the 
water foamed and dashed. 

“Now,” he thought, “I must be drowned; 
but come what may, I will not let my thread 
go.” 

And so it was, that when he came so near 
the stream as to feel the spray upon his cheek, 
and was sure that he must leap in if he fol- 
lowed his thread, what did he see but a little 
bridge that passed from bank to bank, and by 


THE JOUliNEY HOME. 


35 


which he crossed in perfect safety; until at 
last he began to lose fear, and to believe more 
and more that he would always be in the right 
road, so long as he did not trust mere appear- 
ances, but kept hold of his thread ! 


36 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE GREAT LION. — THE LITTLE SQUIRREL. — i 

AN OLD FRIEND. — THE BLOODHOUND. — THE 

LAST TEMPTATION. 

But Eric had now to endure a great trial 
of his faith in the thread. As he journeyed 
on, it led him up a winding path towards 
the summit of a hill. 

The large trees of the forest were soon left 
behind, and small, stunted bushes grew among 
masses of gray rocks. The path was like the 
bed of a dry brook, and was often very steep. 
There were no birds except little stone-chats, 
that hopped and chirped among the large round 
stones. 

Far below, he could see the tops of the 
trees, and here and there a stream glittering 
under the sunbeams. Nothing disturbed the 
silence but the hoarse croak of the raven, or 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


37 


the wild cry of a kite or eagle, that, like a 
speck, wheeled far up in the sky. 

But suddenly Eric heard a roar like thun- 
der coming from the direction towards which 
the thread was leading him. He stopped for 
a moment ; but the thread was firm in his 
hand, and led right up the hill. On he went; 
and no wonder he started when, as he turned 
the corner of a rock, he heard another roar, 
and saw the head of a huge lion looking out 
of what seemed to be a cave, a few yards 
back from the edge of a dizzy precipice ! 
He saw, too, that the path he must follow 
was between the lion’s den and the precipice. 

What now was to be done? Should he give 
up his thread and fly? 

No! 

A voice in his heart encouraged him to be 
brave and not fear; and he knew from his 
experience that he had always been led in 
safety and peace when he followed the road, 
holding fast to his thread. 

He was certain that his father would never 
deceive him, or bid him do anything but what 
was right; and he was sure, too, that the lady 


38 


THE GOLD THEE AD. 


from her love to him, and her teaching him 
to trust God and to pray, would not have bid 
him do anything that was wrong. And then 
an old verse his father taught him came into 
his mind : — 


“In the darkest night, my child, 

Canst thou see the Right, my child ? 

Forward, then ! God is near ! 
The Right will be light to thee. 
Armor and might to thee ; 

Forward! and never fear!” 


So Eric resolved to go on in faith. There 
was just one thing he saw which cheered him, 
and that was a white hare, sitting with her 
ears cocked, quite close to the lion’s den; and 
he wondered how she had no fear, but he 
could not explain it at the time. 

On he walked ; but he could hardly breathe, 
as the thread led still nearer and nearer to 
the den. These big eyes were glaring on him, 
and seemed to draw him closer and closer! 
There the lion stood on one side of the path, 
while the great precipice descended on the 
other. One step more, and he was between 
these two dangers. 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


39 


He moved on until he was so near that he 
seemed to feel the lion’s breath; and then the 
brute sprang out on him, and tried to strike 
him with his huge paw, that would have 
crushed him to the dust ! Eric shut his eyes, 
and gave himself up for lost. But the lion 
suddenly fell back, for he was held fast by a 
great iron chain ; and so Eric passed in safely ! 

Oh, how thankful he was ! and how gladly 
he ran down hill, the lion in his den roaring 
behind him ! Down he ran until all was quiet 
again. 

As he pursued his journey in the beautiful 
green woods, something told him his greatest 
trial was past. He felt very peaceful and 
strong. And now, as he reached some noble 
old beech-trees, the thread fell on the grass, 
and he took this as a sign that he should lie 
down too ; and so he did, grateful for the rest. 

He ate some of his cake, and drank from 
a clear spring beside him, and feasted on 
wild strawberries which grew in abundance all 
round him. 

He then stretched himself on his back among 
soft moss, and looked up through the branches 


40 


TUE GOLD Til EE AD. 


of the gigantic tree, and saw with delight the 
sunlight speckling the emerald green leaves 
and brown bark with touches of silver, and, 
far up, the deep blue sky with white clouds 
reposing on it, like snowy islands on a blue 
ocean ; and he watched the squirrels, with 
their bushy tails, as they ran up the tree, and 
jumped from branch to branch, and sported 
among the leaves, until he fell into a sort of 
pleasant day-dream, and felt so happy, he 
hardly kneAv why. 

As he lay here, he thought he heard, in 
his half-waking dream, a little squirrel sing 
a song. Was it not his own heart, now so 
glad because doing what was right, which was 
singing? This was the song which he thought 
he heard : — 

“I’m a merry, merry squirrel, 

All day I leap and whirl. 

Through my home in the old beech-tree; 

If you chase me, I will run 
In the shade and in the sun. 

But you never, never can catch me ! 

For round a bough I’ll creep. 

Playing hide-and-seek so sly, 

Or through the leaves bo-peep, 

With my little shining eye. 

Ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


41 


Up and down I run and frisk, 

With my bushy tail to whisk 
All w’ho mope in the old beech-trees; 

How droll to see the owl, 

As I make him wink and scowl. 

When his sleepy, sleepy head I tease ! 

And I waken up the bat. 

Who flies off with a scream. 

For he thinks that I’m the cat 
Pouncing on him in his dream. 

Ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! 


Through all the summer long 
I never want a song 
From my birds in the old beech-trees; 

I have singers all the night. 

And, with the morning bright. 

Come my busy humming fat brown bees. 
When I’ve nothing else to do. 

With the nursing birds I sit. 

And we laugh at the cuckoo 
A-cuckooing to her tit ! 

Ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! 


When winter comes vrith snow, 

And its cruel tempests blow' 

All the leaves from my old beech-trees, 

Then beside the w'ren and mouse 
I furnish up a house. 

Where like a prince I live at my ease I 
What care I for hail or sleet 
With my hairy cap and coat. 

And my tail across my feet. 

Or WTapped about my throat! 

Ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! ha, ha, ha ! ” 


42 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


As Eric opened his eyes and looked up, he 
saw a little squirrel, with its tail curling up its 
back, sitting on a branch looking down upon 
him ; and then it playfully ran away with the 
tail down and waving after it. 

“ Farewell, happy little fellow ! ” said Eric ; 
“ I must do my work now, and play like you 
afterwards;” for at that moment the thread 
again became tight, and Eric, refreshed with 
his rest, and hearty for his journey, stepped out 
bravely. 

He saw, at some distance, and beyond an 
open glade in the forest, a rapid river, towards 
which he was descending. When near the 
river, he perceived something struggling in the 
water, and then heard a loud cry or scream for 
help, as if from one drowning. He was almost 
tempted to run off to his assistance without his 
thread; but he felt thankful that the thread 
itself led in the very direction from whence he 
heard the cries coming. So off he ran as fast 
as he could; and as he came to the brink of a 
deep, dark pool in the river, he saw the head 
of a boy rising above the water, as the poor 
little fellow tried to keep himself afloat. 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


43 


Now he sank — again he rose — until he sud- 
denly disappeared. Eric laid hold of his thread 
with a firm hand, and leaped in over head and 
ears, and then rose to the surface, and with his 
other hand swam to where the boy had sunk. 
He soon caught him, and brought him with 
great difficulty to the surface ; which he never 
could have done unless the thread had sup- 
ported them both above the water. 

“Eric!” cried the gasping boy, opening his 
eyes, almost covered by his long, wet hair. 

“ Wolf ! ” cried Eric, “ is it you ? ” 

It was indeed poor Wolf, who lay panting 
on the dry land, with his rough garments drip- 
ping with water, and himself hardly able to 
move. 

“ Oh, tell me. Wolf, what brought you here ! 
I am so glad to have helped you ! ” 

After a little time, when Wolf could speak, 
he told him in his own way, bit by bit, how 
Ralph had suspected him; and hov^ the old 
woman had heard him speaking as she was 
looking out of an upper window; and how 
when Ralph asked the gold belt he could not 
give it; and how he was obliged himself to 


44 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


fly; and how he had been running for his life 
for hours. 

“Now let us fly,” said Wolf; “I am quite 
strong again. I fear that they are in pursuit 
of us.” 

They both went on at a quick pace, Eric 
having shown Wolf the wonderful thread, and 
explained to him how he must never part with 
it, come what may, and having also given him 
a bit of his cake to comfort him. 

“O rub-a-dub, dub!” said Wolf, squeezing 
the water out of his hair, as he trotted along ; 
“ I am glad to be away. Ralph would have 
killed me like a pig. The voice told me to run 
after you.” 

So on they went together, happy again to 
meet. Suddenly Wolf stopped, and listening 
with anxious face, he said, — 

“ Hark ! did you hear anything? ” 

“ No,” said Eric; “ what was it? ” 

“ Hush ! — listen ! — there again — I hear 
it!” 

“I think I do hear something far off like a 
dog’s bark,” replied Eric. “Hark!” 

So they both stopped and listened, and far 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


45 


away they heard a deep ‘‘ Bow-wow-wow-wow- 
o-o-o-o-o ” echoing through the forest. 

“ Let us run as fast as we can,” said the boy, 
in evident fear ; ‘‘ hear him ! — hear him ! ” 

“ Bow-wow-wow-o-o-o-o,” and the sound came 
nearer. 

“What is it? Why are you so afraid?” 
inquired Eric. 

“Oh! that is Ralph’s bloodhound, Tuscar,” 
cried Wolf; “and he is following us. He 
won’t perhaps touch me, but you he may.” 

So Eric ran as fast as he could, but never let 
go the gold thread, which this time led towards 
a steep hill, which they were obliged to scram- 
ble up. 

“ Run, Eric ! — quick — hide — up a tree — 
anywhere 1” 

“ I cannot, I dare not,” said Eric ; “ what- 
ever happens, I must hold fast my thread.” 

But they heard the “ Bow-wow-o-o-o ” com- 
ing nearer and nearer, and as they looked back 
they saw the large hound rush out of the wood ; 
and as he came to the water, catching sight of 
the boys on the opposite hill, he leaped in, and 
in a few minutes would be near them. And 


46 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


now he came bellowing like a fierce bull up 
the hill, his tongue hanging out, and his nose 
tracking along the ground, as he followed their 
footsteps. 

“I shall run and meet him,” said Wolf, 
“ and stop him if I can ; ” and down ran the 
swineherd, calling, “ Tuscar ! Tuscar ! good 
dog, Tuscar I ” 

Tuscar knew Wolf, and passed him, but ran 
up to Eric. As he reached Eric, who stood 
calm and firm, the bloodhound stopped, pant- 
ing, smelling his clothes all round, but, strange 
to say, wagging his huge tail ! He then ran 
back the way he had come, as if he had made a 
mistake, and all his race was for nothing. How 
was this? Ah, poor Tuscar remembered .the 
supper Eric had given him, and was grateful 
for his kindness ! 

Wolf was astonished at Eric’s escape, until 
he heard how he and Tuscar had become ac- 
quainted; and then Wolf heard the voice in 
his heart say that there was nothing better 
than kindness and love shown to man or beast. 

They both after this pursued their journey 
with light and hopeful hearts; for they had 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


47 


got out of what was called the wild robber 
country, and Eric knew that he was drawing 
near home. The thread was stronger than 
ever, and every hour it helped more and more 
to support him. 

Wolf trotted along with his short stick, and 
sometimes snorting and blowing with the fa- 
tigue, like one of his own pigs. They talked 
as best they could about all they had seen. 

“Did you see big Thorold the lion?” asked 
Wolf. 

“ I did,” said Eric ; “ he is very awful, but 
he was chained.” 

“ Lucky for you ! ” said Wolf ; “ for Ralph 
hunts with him, and kills travellers. He will 
obey none but Ralph. I heard him roaring. 
He is hungry. He once ate one of my pigs, 
and would have ate me if he had not first 
caught the poor black porker. I escaped up 
a tree.” 

And thus they chatted, as they journeyed 
on through woods, and across green plains, 
and over low hills, until Wolf complained of 
hunger. 

Eric at once gave him what remained of his 


48 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


large cake ; but it did not suffice to appease 
the hunger of the herd, who was, however, 
very thankful for what he got. 

To their delight they now saw a beautiful 
cottage not far from their path; and as they 
approached it, an old woman, with a pretty girl 
who seemed to be her daughter, came out to 
meet them. 

“ Good-day, young gentlemen ! ” said the 
old woman with a kind smile and a courtesy; 
“you seem to be on your travels, and look 
wearied. Pray come into my cottage, and I 
shall refresh you.” 

“ What fortunate fellows we are ! ” said 
Wolf. 

“We are much obliged to you for your hos- 
pitality,” replied Eric. 

But, alas ! the thread drew him in an oppo- 
site direction; so, turning to Wolf, he said, — 

“I cannot go in.” 

“ Come, my handsome young gentleman,” 
said the young woman, “and we shall make 
you so happy. You shall have such a din- 
ner as will delight you, I am sure; and you 
may remain as long as you please, and I will 


» 


THE LAST TEMPTATION, 


49 


dance and sing to you ; nor need you pay any- 
thing.” 

And she came forward smiling and dancing, 
offering her arm to Eric. ‘‘Surely you won’t 
be so rude as refuse me ! you are so beautiful, 
and have such lovely hair and eyes, and I 
never saw such a belt as you wear; do come ! ” 

“Come, my son,” said the old woman to 
Wolf, as she put her hand round his neck. 

“With all my heart! ” replied Wolf; “for 
to tell the truth I am wearied and hungry : one 
does not get such offers as yours every day.” 

“ I cannot go,” again said Eric. 

They could not see the thread, for to some 
it was invisible; but he saw it, and felt it 
like a wire passing away from the cottage. 

“Who are you, kind friends,” inquired Eric. 

“Friends of the king and of his family. 
Honest subjects, good people,” said the old 
woman. 

“Do you know Prince Eric?” asked Wolf. 

“ Right well ! ” replied the young woman. 
“ He is a great friend of mine ; a fine, tall, 
comely youth. He calls me his own little 
sweetheart.” 


50 


THE GOLD Til READ. 


“ It is false ! ” said Eric ; “you do not know 
him. You should not lie.” 

But he did not tell who he was ; neither did 
Wolf, for Eric had made a sign to him to be 
silent. 

“I won’t enter your dwelling,” said Eric, 
“for my duty calls me away.” 

They both gave a loud laugh, and said, — 

“ Hear him ! Only hear a fine young fel- 
low talking about duty! Pleasure, ease, and 
liberty are for the young. We only want to 
make you happy ; come ! ” 

“ I shall go with you,” said Wolf ; “do 
come, Eric.” 

“Wolf, speak to me,” whispered Eric to the 
swineherd. “ You know I cannot go, for my 
duty tells me to follow the thread. But now 
I see that this is the house of the wicked, 
for you heard how they lied. They neither 
know the king nor his children; and they 
laugh, too, at duty. Be advised. Wolf, and fol- 
low me.” 

Wolf hesitated, and looked displeased. 

“Only for an hour, Eric!'” 

“Not a minute. Wolf! If you trust them 


THE LAST TEMPTATION. 


51 


more than me, go ; hut I am sure you and I 
shall never meet again.” 

“Then I Avill trust you, Eric,” said Wolf; 
“the voice in my heart tells me to do so.” 

And so they both passed on. But the old 
woman and the girl began to abuse them, and 
call them all manner of evil names, and to 
laugh at them as silly fellows. The girl 
threw stones at them, which made Wolf turn 
round and flourish his stick over his head. 
At last they entered the cottage, the old wo- 
man shaking her fist, and calling out from the 
door, — 

“ I’ll soon send my friend Ralph after 
you!” 

“ Oh, ho ! is that the way the wind blows ? ” 
exclaimed Wolf, with a whistle; and, grasp- 
ing Eric’s arm, said, — 

“You were right, prince! I never suspected 
them. I see now they are bad.” 

“ I saw that before,” replied Eric, “ and 
knew that no good would come to us from 
making their acquaintance.” 

“Were they not cunning?” 

“ Yes ; but probably, with all their smiles. 


52 


THE GOLD TREE AH. 


flattery, and fair promises, they would have 
proved more cruel in the end than either 
Ralph or old Thorold.” 

‘‘ What would they have done to us ? Why 
did they meet us ? Who are they, think 
you?” 

“I don’t know. Wolf; it was enough for 
me that they lied, and did not wish us to do 
what was right. The gold thread given me 
by my father never could have led me into 
the society and house of the wicked. I am 
glad we held it fast.” 


THE GBEEN ISLAND, 


53 


CHAPTER V. 

THE GREEN ISLAND OF THE LAKE, AND THE 
RETURN HOME. 

Not long after this strange adventure they 
reached a rising ground, from which a mag- 
nificent view burst upon them. Below there 
was a large lake, surrounded by wooded hills, 
above which rose noble rocks fringed with 
stately pines, and higher ranges of mountains 
beyond, some of whose summits were covered 
with snow that glittered like purest alabaster 
in the azure blue of the sky. 

Eric gave a cry of joy ; for he saw the 
house of one of his father’s foresters, which 
he> had once visited with his father. 

“Wolf! Wolf! ” he exclaimed, “look yon- 
der; that is the house of Darkeye the forester. 
We are safe ! ” And the thread was leading 
straight down in the very direction which they 
wished. 


54 


THE GOLD THEE AD, 


Darkeye’s house was built on a small green 
island in the lake. The island was like a lit- 
tle fort, for on every side the rocks descended 
like a wall. It could only be approached by 
a boat, which Darkeye kept on the island, and 
then by a narrow stair cut out of the rock at 
the landing-place. No robbers could thus get 
near it; and Darkeye was there to give shelter 
to travellers, and to help any of the poor who 
had to pass that way. 

The thread led down to the shore. They 
forgot their fatigue, and ran down till they 
reached the ferry. 

“ Boat, ahoy ! ” shouted Eric. 

By and by two boys were seen running out 
of the cottage ; and after looking cautiously at 
those who were calling for the boat, they rowed 
off, and soon were at the shore where stood 
Eric with his gold belt, and Wolf in his rough 
skins. 

“ Olaf ! Torquil ! don’t you remember me ? ” 
asked Eric, looking at his old friends. 

The boys looked astonished as they recog- 
nized the young prince, and received him joy- 
fully into their boat, he holding by the thread. 


THE GEEEN ISLAND. 


55 


which seemed to cross the ferry towards the 
cottage. 

How many questions were mutually put and 
answered in a few minutes ! They told him 
their father was at home ; and how he had 
lately seen the king ; and how the king was 
anxiously looking for Eric’s return; and how 
glad all on the island would be to see him. 
And the younger boy, Torquil, told him how 
they had now a tame otter, that fished in the 
lake, and a fine golden eagle which they had 
got young in her nest, that also lived on the 
island with them ; and how their mother had 
got another baby since he had been there; 
and how happy they all were, and so on, 
until they arrived at the island. And there 
was old Darkeye himself waiting to receive 
them ; and when he saw who was in the boat, 
he ran down the stone steps, and grasped the 
young prince’s hand, and drew him to his 
heart. 

“Welcome! welcome!” said he; “I knew 
you had been in the forest, but your father 
would not tell me anything more about you. 
He only said that he longed for your coming 


56 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


home. But who is this ? ” asked Darkeye, 
pointing to Wolf. 

“ A friend of mine,” said Eric, with a smile. 

“My name is Wolf,” grunted the swineherd. 

“ I think I have seen him before. But no I 
What? Yes! ” said Darkeye, examining him; 
then added, as if he had discovered some old 
acquaintance, “Surely I have seen him. Tell 
me, my fine fellow, did you ” — 

It was evident Darkeye had seen Wolf kill- 
ing his game, or in some affray with the rob- 
bers. Wolf looked sternly at Darkeye, then at 
Eric, but said nothing. 

“O Darkeye! do not trouble poor Wolf,” 
said Eric, “ but let him go into the cottage ; 
and come you with me, as I wish to tell you 
all that has happened to me during these few 
days.” 

So, while the boys took Wolf to the cottage, 
and food was being prepared, Eric told Dark- 
eye all his adventures ; and you would have 
been sure that the forester was hearing some- 
thing which surprised and interested him won- 
derfully, had you seen his face, and how he 
sometimes laughed, or knitted his brows and 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


bl 


looked angry, or sad and solemn, or sprung to 
his feet from the rock on which he was sitting 
beside Eric. 

When Eric came to speak about the old wo- 
man and her daughter, “ Ah ! ” said Darkeye, 
“there are not worse people in that wicked 
country ! They say that the old woman is a 
witch of some kind. But whether she poisons 
travellers or drowns them, I know not. No 
doubt she is in league with Ralph the robber, 
and would have robbed you or kept you fast 
in some way or other till you were handed 
over to him. You were right, my prince, in 
all you did. The only way of being delivered 
from temptation is to be brave, and do what 
is right, come what may.” 

Then grasping Eric by the hand, he led him 
back to the cottage. There Darkeye’s wife 
received him like a mother; and all the chil- 
dren gathered round him in surprise and ad- 
miration, he looked so brave and lovely. 

One of the walls of the cottage was reared 
on the edge of the rock, so that it seemed a 
continuation of it, and to rise up from the 
deep waters of the lake. The boys were thus 


58 


THE GOLD THllEAD, 


able often to fish witli a long line out of the 
window. 

A winding stair led to a lookout on the 
roof, from which the whole island, called 
‘‘ The Green Island of the Lake,” could be 
seen. It was about a mile or more in cir- 
cumference, and was dotted all over with the 
cottages of the other foresters and kings’ 
huntsmen, each surrounded with clumps of 
trees, through which the curling smoke from 
the chimneys might be seen ascending. 

There were everywhere beautifully kept gar- 
dens, with fruits and flowers and beehives ; and 
fields, too, with their crops. On the green 
knolls and in the little valleys might be seen 
cows and sheep ; while flocks of goats browsed 
among ivy-covered rocks. 

In the middle of the island was a little 
shallow lake, beside which the otter had his 
house among the rocks ; and there the eagle 
also lived. 

All the children in the island were the 
best of friends ; and they played together, and 
sailed their boats on the little lake, and every 
day met in the house of one of the forest- 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


59 


ers to learn their lessons ; and on Sunday, as 
they were very far away from any church, 
old Darkeye used to read the Good Book 
to them, and worship with them, and did all 
he could to make them love God and one 
another. 

There was also in the island a house, where, 
by the king’s orders, all poor travellers could 
find refuge and refreshment. And it was a 
great pleasure to the boys and girls to visit 
them ; and if any were sick and confined to 
bed, to attend to their wants. 

If the stranger had any children, the young 
islanders always shared their sports with them. 
And nothing pleased these stranger children 
more than to get leave to sail a boat, or to 
have the loan of a fishing-rod, or to hear the 
boy^ call Oscar — for that was the name of the 
otter — out of his den, and to play with Tor 
the eagle, or to see them feed Oscar with 
some of the fish they had caught, and Tor 
with a bit of meat. 

The dogs were so friendly, too, that they 
never touched Oscar, but would swim about 
in the same pool with him. And so all were 


60 


THE GOLD TUBE AD. 


happy in the Green Island; because Darkeye 
had taught them what a wicked thing selfish- 
ness was, and that the only way to be happy 
was by thinking about others as well as them- 
selves, and by becoming like Him, the Elder 
Brother of us all, who “pleased not himself.” 
He also used to say, — 

“Now, when you work, work like men, and 
when you play, play like boys: be hearty at 
both.” 

And so, while there was no idleness, there 
was abundance of recreation. Another evil was 
never permitted on the island, and that was, 
disobedience to parents, or want of respect to 
the old. But, indeed, punishment for these 
offences was seldom needed. 

The young learned to like to do what was 
right, and were too brave and manly to give 
pain and trouble to others, by forcing them to ^ 
find fault or to punish. 

I should have mentioned also, that they 
had a little band of musicians. One beat the 
drum, a few played the fife, and others some 
simple instrument; while almost all could sing 
tolerably well in parts. Thus, many a trav- 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


61 


eller would pause and listen with delight, as 
he heard, on a summer’s evening, the chorus 
sung from many voices, or the music from 
the band coming from the island. 

“ Young people,” Darkeye used to say, 

“ have much wealth and happiness given 
them, for themselves and others, if they only 
used their gifts.” 

But I am forgetting Eric and Wolf. They 
were both, you may be sure, ready for their 
dinner ; and there was laid for them on a 
table, cream, cakes, and fresh trout, and such 
other good things as the kind woman could 
get ready. 

But now the thread began to move, as if 
it wished Eric to move also. Before rising to 
depart, he told Wolf how Darkeye, for his 
sake, would be so glad to take care of him, 

* until he got his father’s permission to bring 
him into the castle; that he would learn to be 
a huntsman, and be taught what was good, 
and to know about the voice that spoke in . 
his heart; and that all the boys in the island 
would make him their friend if he did what 
was right. 


62 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


“ Ralph will come here ! ” said Wolf, hang- 
ing his head. “ I wish the rascal did,” said 
Darkeye, “ for he would never go back. But 
he cannot enter my fort, and knows me and 
my huntsmen too well ever to try it. I have 
had more than one brush with the villain, and 
we hope soon to drive him and his brood from 
their bloody nest. Wolf, you are welcome 
and safe, for Eric’s sake ! ” 

Then turning to Eric, he said, — 

“ I shall teach him, and make a man of 
him, my young prince, depend upon it. And 
now, before we part, I have to ask a favor,” 
continued Darkeye. “ You know our custom 
near evening? If the thread permits, remain, 
and be one of us.” 

“ I remember it,” said Eric, “ and will re- 
main and be one of you, and let poor Wolf 
also be one.” 

And so they entered the cottage, and all sat 
down round an open window which looked 
out upon the beautiful lake with its wooded 
islands, and surrounded by the noble forest, 
above which rose the giant peaks and preci- 
pices. 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


63 


The water was calm as glass, and reflected 
every brilliant color from rock and tree, and 
most of all from the golden clouds, which 
already began to gather in the west. Dark- 
eye read from the Good Book of one who had 
left his father’s house, and went to a far coun- 
try, where he would fain have satisfied his 
hunger from the husks which the swine did 
eat, and could not, but who at last returned 
home after having suffered from his disobedi- 
ence. When he closed the book, all stood up 
and sung these words with sweet and happy 
voices : — 

“ Father! from Thy throne above, 

Bless our lowly home below! 

Jesus, Shepherd! in Thy love, 

Guard Thy flock from every foe. 


Thine we are ! for Thou hast made us; 

Thine, for we’re redeem’d by Thee; 
Thine, for Thou hast ever led us. 
Thine, we evermore shall be! 


May we love Thee, may we fear Thee, 
May Thy will, not ours, be done. 
Never leave us till we’re near Thee 
In the Home where all are one!” 


64 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


Then they knelt down, and Darkeye spoke 
to God in name of them all, thanking him 
for his goodness, and telling him their wants. 
When they rose from their knees, the gold 
thread shone brilliantly, and, like a beam of 
light, passed out at the door in the direction 
of the ferry. 

During the singing of the. verses. Wolf 
seemed for the first time quite overcome. He 
bent his head, and covered his face with his 
hands. He then said, in a low voice, when the 
short service was over, and as if speaking to 
himself, while all were silent, listening to 
him, — 

“I had a dream. Long, long ago. A car- 
riage — a lady. She was on her knees, with 
her hands clasped, and speaking to the sky. 
She had hold of me. Ralph was there, and the 
robbers. I forget the rest.” 

He rose and looked out of the window, gaz- 
ing vacantly. 

“ What can he mean ? ” asked Eric aside to 
Darkeye, who was looking tenderly on Wolf. 

“ Ah ! who knows, poor boy ! Singing al- 
ways touches the heart of these wanderers. 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


65 


Perhaps — yes — it may be,” he said, so that 
Eric alone could hear him, “that he has been 
taken when a child by Ralph from some rich 
traveller, and perhaps his mother was killed ! 
He may have been the child of good people. 
Was that person his mother who, he says, 
prayed for him? If so, her prayers are now 
answered, for her boy will be delivered, — 
poor Wolf I Wolf, my boy,” said Darkeye, 
“come and bid farewell to your friend.” 

Wolf started as from a dream, and came to 
Eric. 

“Farewell, my kind Wolf, and I hope to 
see you some day in my father’s house.” 

The herd spoke not a word, but wiped his 
eyes with the back of his rough hand. 

“ Cheer up. Wolf ! for you will be good 
and happy here.” 

“Wolf is happy already, and he will take 
care of the pigs, or do anything for you all.” 

He then held out his stick to Eric, and 
said, — 

“Take it; keep it for my sake; it is all 
Wolf has to give. Ralph has the gold coin.” 

“Thank you, good Wolf; but you will re- 


66 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


quire it, and I need nothing to remember 
you.” 

“Don’t be angry, Eric, for what I did to 
you in the forest when we first met. My heart 
is sorry.” 

“We did not know one another then. Wolf, 
and I shall never forget that it is to you I 
owe my escape.” 

“Wolf loves you and everyone here.” 

“I am sure you do. Wolf; and I love 
you. God bless you. Wolf! I must go; fare- 
well ! ” 

And thus they parted. But all gathered 
round Eric, and accompanied him to the boat, 
blessing the little prince, and wishing him a 
peaceful and happy journey. 

Eric thanked them with many smiles and 
tender words. Darkey e alone went with him 
into the boat, wondering greatly at the thread, 
and most of all at the prince, who shone with 
a beauty that seemed not of this world. The 
prince landed; but Darkeye knew, for many 
reasons, that he could not accompany him in 
his journey, which he must take alone. Eric 
embraced Darkeye, and, waving his hand to 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


67 


all on the island, he was soon lost to their 
sight in the great forest. 

A winding pathway, over the ridge of hills, 
led down to a broad and rapid hut smooth 
river, and on its hanks was a royal boat, splen- 
did and rich to look upon. She was white as 
snow, with a purple seat at the end covered 
by a canopy, that gleamed with golden tassels 
and many gems. The thread led into the boat ; 
and though no one was there, Eric entered, and 
sat on a purple cushion, on which the Gold 
Thread also laid itself down. 

No -sooner had he gone on board of the boat, 
than — as if his little foot, when it touched 
her, had sent her from the shore — she slowly 
moved into the centre of the channel, and was 
carried downwards by the current. On she 
swept on the bosom of that clear stream, be- 
tween shores adorned \j^ith all that could de- 
light the eye, — rocks and trees and flowers, 
with here and there foaming waterfalls, from 
mountain rivulets which poured themselves 
into the great river. The woods were full of 
song, and birds with splendid plumage flashed 
amidst the foliage like rainbow hues amidst 


68 


THE GOLD THREAD, 


the clouds. Eric knew not whither he was 
being carried, but his heart was sunshine and 
peace. 

♦On and on he swept with the winding 
stream, until at last, darting under a dark arch- 
way of rock, and then emerging into light, the 
boat grounded on a shore of pure white sand, 
while the thread rose and led him to the land. 
No sooner had he stepped on shore and as- 
cended the green bank, than he found himself 
at the end of a long, broad avenue of splendid 
old trees, whose tops met overhead. The far- 
off end of the avenue was closed by a great 
marble staircase, which ascended to a magnif- 
icent castle. Wall rose above wall, and tower 
over tower. 

He saw grand flights of stairs, leading from 
one stately terrace to another, with marble 
statues, clear gushing fountains, and flower- 
gardens, and every kind of lovely tree. It was 
his father’s castle at last! 

He ran on with breathless anxiety and joy. 
He soon reached a large gate, that seemed to be 
covered with glittering gold*. As he looked at 
it, he saw the thread tied to a golden knockei 


THE GREEN ISLAND. 


69 


upon it, shaped like the old cross in the forest. 
Inscribed over the gate were the words, — 

“HE THAT PERSEVERETH TO THE END SHALL 
BE SAVED.” 

He seized the knocker; and the moment it 
fell, the thread broke, and vanished like a flash 
of light. A crash of music was then heard. 

The door opened ; and there, in the midst of 
a court paved with marble of purest white, and 
on a golden throne, sat Eric’s father, sur- 
rounded by his brothers and sisters. The 
beautiful lady was there too, and many, many 
more to welcome Eric. His father clasped him 
to his heart, and said, — 

“ My son was lost, but is found ! ” While 
all crowded round Eric to bid him welcome, 
with his weary feet and torn dress, kept to- 
gether by the golden band, a chorus was heard 
singing, — 

“ Home where the weary rest, 

Home where the good are blest, 

Home of the soul ; 

Glorious the race when run. 

Glorious the prize when won. 

Glorious the goal!” 


70 


THE GOLD THREAD. 


Then there rose a swell of many young voices 
singing, — 

“Oh, be joyful, be joyful, let every voice sing! 

Welcome, brothers, our brother, the son of the king; 
His wanderings are past, to his father he’s come; 
Little Eric, our darling, we welcome thee home! 

Oh, blest is the true one who follows the road. 
Holding fast to his gold thread of duty to God, 
Who, when tempted, is firm, who in danger is brave. 
Who, forgetting himself, will a lost brother save. 

Then be joyful, be joyful, for Eric is come. 

Little Eric, our darling, we welcome thee home!” 

And then the sun set, and the earth was 
dark; but the palace of the king shone like 
an aurora in the wintry sky. 








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